NORTHERN MICHIGAN TURF MANAGERS ASSOCIATION DAVID E. LONGFIELD, PRESIDENT J. REED, SECRETARY-TREAS. JON SCOTT, VICE-PRESIDENT 3733 APOLLO DRIVE TUESDAY TRAVERSE CITY, Ml 49684 JULY 2nd, 1985 RFARD PHONE: 616/943-8343 McGUIRES CADILLAC COLLECTION The next meeting of our Association will be a luncheon and will be held at the above location. Lunch will be served at 12:00 Noon, a business meeting will follow and we are very fortunate to have as our speaker, Mr. Greg Matthews, part owner of Pine View Golf Club, a man who has been very active in golf in Michigan for many years. He has been an outstanding contributor to the Michigan Section P.G.A., past Vice-President plus has received many honors for what he has put back into golf. He also has received many honors for his contributions to the Lions Club and has done outstanding charitable work for the "White Cane" benefit. We are very fortunate in getting this outstanding speaker. There will be a cash bar for those that wish to whet their appetite however please arrange your time to be available for lunch. Lunch will be baked chicken plus the goodies and your cost will be #5.75. Golf is available after the luncheon, carts are $8.00 plus ^2.00 for the golf tournament which will be a blind bogey. Telephone number to call at the pro shop is 6l6/775-99^9 and it is suggested that you get starting times. «### 4646 4646 4646 46464646 4646 -ft 464646464646 46 4646 46 46464646 46 46 46 46 4646 4646 4646 464646 46 46 46 46 46 46 46 4646 46 464646464646464646 464646464646 September 19-2^1, 1985 — Mid-Year Turfgrass Conference and Show, will be held at the Indiana Convention Center & Hoosier Dome, Indianapolis, Indiana. Educational seminars, staff training workshops, trade show. If you have any Interest, want any additional, are curious about attending please feel free to call G.C.S.A.A. Headquarters, toll free, 1-800-472 7878. Indianapolis is not too far away to see such a great event for anyone Interested in turfgrass or the equipment to maintain it. **** 46 46 46 4646 464646464646 46 * 46 4646464646464646464646 -it 464646464646 46 464646464646 <(. # # 464646.)(. # * .¡Hfr 46 464646 46 46 * »-if- * 46 464646 * Due to higher standards being initiated to become a Certified Golf Course Superintendent CGCS (CGCS), the Treasure Coast GCSA chapter has formed a study group for those planning to be certified. The group will be open to anyone interested in the certification program, including Study those not eligible to take the test this year. Group Formed The 17 Treasure Coast members who are eligible to take the exam in 1985 are being urged to give the matter immediate attention. The study group plans to meet one evening a month By through September. The chapter will request that a proctor come to the area to administer Local « the certification exam shortly after the last study session. Chapter The study group hopes to have currently certified members helping with the sessions. Each ’ session will be devoted to one of the six parts of the test: history and bylaws; rules of golf; turf management; plant chemicals and mathematics; reports, records and budgets; and leader­ ship, delegation and training. GCSAA encourages members to participate in organizing similar groups. Member interactions are a valuable part of the learning experience and association development. *46 46 46 46 46 46 # 4646 464646464646 4646 4646 464646 4646464646 464646 464646 4646 4646 4646 4646 46 464646 4646 464646464646 46464646 4646 4646464646464646464646 Wp must bave numbers for July 2nd so please mail your POSTCARD immediate! THE RESEARCH TEAM ... The GCSAA and The Green Section With Vital Commitment to the Future by JAMES W. TIMMERMAN, President, GCSAA, Orchard Lake Country Club, Michigan, and JAMES G. PRUSA, Associate Executive Director, GCSAA, Kansas AT THE BEGINNING of the 1960s, who labor within this game, the project maintenance in order to allow the price /%President Kennedy promised to will determine our futures. of golf to become competitive with the X jk^put an American on the moon The challenges are not difficult to other leisure sports. within 10 years. What followed was the identify, to understand, or to define. Real reduction of golf course main­ greatest technological advancement in For many years now, the problems tenance costs is in itself a difficult the history of mankind. In less than the facing golf have become increasingly challenge. Complicated by the acceler­ 10 years, an American walked on the clear to most golf course superintendents, ating scarcity of potable water for golf moon, and the promise was realized. industrial business people, university course irrigation — which some of us How was it made possible? Was it scientists, and the leadership of both the have experienced already — and the accomplished through great speeches or USGA and the Golf Course Superinten­ worldwide increasing demand for the wishful thinking? Hardly. Rather, it was dents Association of America. Each same water, our ability to reduce the made possible by defining the challenge, year we’ve exchanged information that price of golf and create expansion be­ the establishment of the goals and objec­ brought to light the developing chal­ comes a challenge on a scale the industry tives needed to resolve the challenge, lenges. The problems have hardly been has never previously encountered. and the commitment of the resources hidden; after all, many in golf have been and spirit necessary to achieve the aware of and have predicted the esca­ HE OBJECTIVES of the Turfgrass objectives. Perhaps there was a great deal of lation of problems for years. Simply stated, potable water for irri­ T Research Project are clear and simple to state: It is our goal to develop symbolic significance when astronaut gating fine golf turfgrasses is a rapidly new grasses that will use 50 percent less Alan B. Shepard, Jr., took out his trusty diminishing resource. In addition, even water and require 50 percent less main­ moon club and struck that famous golf after all the improvements in golf course tenance. Though simple to state, to shot on the lunar surface. That club, management, the price of golf still achieve such goals is anything but simple. which is now enshrined in the USGA remains too high. Both of these prob­ The key change in strategy is an Museum at Golf House, forever welded lems affect the game’s welfare by tending emphasis on basic research. the technological achievement of the to drive up the price a golfer must pay Frankly, we have a wealth of knowl­ Apollo program with the game of golf. to play. At the least, these factors make edge on fertilizer studies and applied Golf today faces serious challenges it difficult for us to reduce the real cost disease and insect control methods from that, to be resolved, will require a of golf in order to allow people of all the applied research conducted on exist- * technological thrust similar to the ages and economic means to take up the ing turfgrass varieties. What we truly Apollo program. Barely 20 years after game. lack is the basic knowledge of the plant Kennedy committed us to set our aim Over the years, golf course super­ mechanisms. So enters a new strategy. * at the moon, the game has launched a intendents have done an excellent job For example, basic research is now similar project. Though perhaps not of holding the annual cost increases of being conducted to better understand equal in scope, this project appears to be golf course maintenance close to the the processes that go on within the turf­ at least equal in difficulty. Our own race annual rate of inflation. However, we grass plant. These physiological processes to the moon will determine the future of , ork to reduce, in real dollar have not really been understood. How­ golf — and consequently, for each of us terms, the annual cost of golf course ever, with the current combination of USGA GREEN SECTION RECORD Continued on next Page 2 page research talent and a more realistic level for golf might improve our ability to of funding, significant scientific dis­ feed people. coveries are anticipated. Over the past 18 months, the start-up This better understanding of physio­ phase of the USGA/GCSAA Turfgrass logical mechanisms that control drought Research Project has accomplished a tolerance, heat tolerance, and water great deal. A detailed plan of attack has utilization within the plant will allow the been established covering a 10-year turfgrass breeders to select and screen period. Specific time objectives have new varieties. been determined for each phase of the Another thrust of the research project project, project leaders have been selected is in turfgrass tissue culture, a basic to head teams of research scientists, science area closely related to genetic committee members have been desig­ engineering. This is potentially a promis­ nated to visit each major project site, ing area. Tissue culture is an advanced and, most importantly, the program is technique of in vitro (in the test tube) on schedule. propagation of individual turfgrass plants cloned from a single plant meristem cell. Basically, the project’s initial phase On the cutting edge of today’s bio­ calls for the collection of turfgrass germ- technology, this research could greatly plasm from around the world. After reduce the breeding time normally neces­ input from the plant physiologists, the sary for selecting and screening for plant breeders will screen for stress improved environmental tolerances. factors and desirable genetic traits. This also establishes a foundation of Eventually the selected strains will be knowledge necessary to create new moved out to beta sites for further study species of turfgrass for golf. under varying climatic conditions and Major developments in this project cultural practices. will have direct applications in food and One noteworthy example of the fiber crops. Imagine what it might mean project’s innovative breadth and pro­ to unlock the secrets of how some plant visions for differing regional realities: cells are able to utilize energy and water The golf course superintendent’s old more efficiently. Research in turfgrass nemesis, Poa annua, is being approached (Continued) Dr. James R. Watson (standing), member of the USGA Turfgrass Research Committee, confers with GCSAA President James W. Timmerman on research matters for 1985. ■I Page 3 MARCH/APRIL 1985 Some of The Best Nine Hole Courses In Michigan as a friend instead of a foe. Poa annua is will remain employed. For all practical being studied to see if its strengths can purposes, however, the game could be enhanced while reducing its weak­ anticipate a generally stagnant future. Crystal Lake Golf Course nesses. Perhaps an improved variety of There is another avenue that offers a Beulah (daily fee) Poa annua will be available because of different future — one of prosperity for Frankfort Golf Club this effort. golf. We can work together to promote Frankfort (daily fee) expansion of the game and, to para­ Heather Hills Golf Club T IS ESTIMATED that 200,000 phrase Dr. Alister Mackenzie, provide Almont (daily fee) I people are employed in various phases “pleasurable excitement’’ to millions of of golf in the United States, and addi­ new golfers. Lakewood on the Green Cadillac (daily fee) tional family dependents total another For those pragmatists among us Signal Point Golf Course 600,000. That’s nearly a million people interested in the more tangible benefits Niles (private) who are directly dependent on golf for of our involvement, supporting the Sparrow Hawk Golf Course their subsistence and welfare. You can USGA/GCSAA Turfgrass Research Jackson (daily fee) double that number to include all those Project simply translates into new Stoneycroft Hills Golf Course people employed by turf equipment opportunity and increased prosperity. Bloomfield Hills (private) manufacturers, golf equipment manu­ Of course, expansion and opportunity Source: National Golf facturers, advertising agencies and other mean more management positions, Foundation segments. expanded golf course ownership, and There can be little doubt that golf is greater income for golf course super­ more than recreation; it obviously pro­ intendents. In the most basic tangible vides a living for a significant portion terms, it means personal growth and of the population. The combined financial development for each of us. resources of golfers and those who de­ GCSAA’s main role is to improve pend on the game could generate the the management ability of golf course kind of major funding required to superintendents through continuing support the research that’s already education and high professional stan­ underway. dards. We also have a responsibility to Take Time All those clubs, golf course super­ support fully the subject of turfgrass re­ Let’s take time to smell the roses, intendents and others who have con­ search program under the auspices of Let’s take time to view the dawn, tributed to the turfgrass research fund the USGA Research Committee. The Let’s take time to enjoy summer, Too soon it will be gone. deserve our gratitude. In the past, those degree to which we, as a profession, We cannot see the woods for trees, in the game have provided the necessary shall be recognized for the future We hurry from here to there. funding for turfgrass research, but the successes of this turfgrass research Take time to behold God’s handiwork magnitude of the current challenge project are limited only by the degree His beauty is everywhere. requires us to shift from measuring to which we dedicate support for the — Irene Schweinfurth funding in hundreds of thousands of project. dollars to millions of dollars. Let us rally our support for this Most people recognize that it takes massive research undertaking. Let us millions to conduct basic scientific become salesmen to our clubs, our fellow research on this scale. After all, one superintendents, and our communities — need only look at medical research or encouraging the broadest possible base efforts in basic agricultural research. of contributors. By the 21st century, we Let there be no doubt that the basic will assure that no one can suggest that research needed today in turfgrass science is no less complex or expensive this generation of golf course super­ intendents failed in its responsibility. 7 Sins in the World than in those other areas. It will take Our objectives are clear: To develop H. H. HUMPHREY EULOGY similar amounts of money to achieve the improved turfgrasses that use 50 percent by: Pres. J. Carter [Quoted from Mahatma Ghandi\ breakthroughs needed to assure the less water, require 50 percent less main­ future of golf. tenance, yet are still green and pleasing 1. WEALTH WITHOUT WORK We — primarily golf course super­ to the eye. 2. PLEASURE WITHOUT CONSCIENCE intendents — can choose to do nothing We can muster the resources necessary. 3. KNOWLEDGE WITHOUT CHARACTER towards tackling these problems and Let us now commit our spirit and demon­ 4. COMMERCE WITHOUT MORALITY golf will probably survive with some strate our determination — and thus 5. SCIENCE WITHOUT HUMANITY growth. Most golf courses will continue pay honor to the proud tradition of our 6. WORSHIP WITHOUT SACRIFICE to plug along, and most superintendents profession. 7. POLITICS WITHOUT PRINCIPLE USGA GREEN SECTION RECORD läge 4 Agri-Systems Soil Testing Laboratory Will Continue ANY INQUIRIES have been husband, a petroleum engineer, operate M made to Green Section regional .offices concerning the status of Agri-Systems of Texas, Inc. Dr. Marvin an engineering and laboratory service for the oil industry. of the soil testing laboratory facilities Plans have been made to upgrade and improve the present soil testing labora­ H. Ferguson developed the soil labora­ tory equipment and to expand the ser­ tory and many of its techniques 20 years vices now offered. Assurances have been ago, and with his death, on January 10, made that the same high standards for 1985, the future of the laboratory has testing and the same frame of reference been of great concern to many in the will be maintained. The new mailing field. address is: Agri-Systems will continue to be active Agri-Systems of Texas, Inc. in testing of soils for USGA Putting 15511 Baldswelle Green Construction Specifications. Tomball, TX 77375 Judith Ferguson Gockel, Dr. Ferguson’s Attn: Judith Ferguson Gockel daughter, was the manager and chief (713) 376-4412 technician for Agri-Systems for eight years; she will continue the laboratory For efficient delivery in the Houston operations. area, use U.S. Mail or United Parcel In addition to the training received Service. Rates for the various testing from her father and some formal course procedures remain unchanged. work at Texas A&M, Mrs. Gockel has Agri-Systems is AOTthe “USGA Soils studied soil physics and soil mechanics. Laboratory.” Rather, it is a private She developed and now holds two contractor. It has agreed to conduct the patents, based on fluid movement and physical soil analysis requirements for soil structure, widely used in the oil USGA Green Section Specification drilling industry today. She and her greens. USGA GREEN SECTION RECORD MARCH/APRIL 1985 11 LOCATING HYDRAULIC TUBE LEAKS J. Douglas Rothwel, coupled at one end to a portable com­ 3. Brass adaptor ('A in. slip x 1 in. thread) The Royal Ottawa Golf Club pressed air tank (40-60 psi) and at the - solder to copper pipe other to the hydraulic tubing. *We found 4. Brass hose adaptor 1 in. A common spring startup problem asso­ leaks within several minutes and from as 5. Hydraulic tube connector - fit and ciated with automatic irrigation systems far away as 100 feet or so. In some cases solder to hose adaptor. is, locating hydraulic tubing leaks. My it was necessary to refill the reservoir. Assistant, Rheal Ladouceur, devised a The undiluted red dye was readily visible To Operate simple device to locate these leaks, that at the grass surface. Unscrew at hose adaptor, add dye and proved very successful last spring, sav­ reattach. Couple air valve stem to com­ ing time and labour. List of Materials and Assembly pressed air tank and hydraulic tube con­ The widget (see diagram) is essentially 1. Air valve stem - solder to copper pipe nector to hydraulic tubing and pump dye a reservoir that holds red food dye 2. Yz inch copper pipe to locate leak. Credit: “Greenmaster” — 4/84 Page 5 SPIN GRINDING used to true the reel containing pre-relieved reel blades before assembly. This virtually eliminates lapping when done by SCOTT WEILER correctly. FOLEY-BELSAW CO. POINT #2 - Since the relief, which is built REEL GRINDING into each reel blade offers a smaller "land" or "flat" to be lapped during between Spin grinding has taken off in the past few grindings sharpenings, every bed knife and years as an alternative to proper reel reel combination wears or dulls to some grinding, offering "time savings" and degree during use. The Back Lapping "increased accuracy". The trend toward procedure is the procedure of applying fine spin grinding is a result of the efforts of a compound while the reel is being turned few self-serving manufacturers telling you backward (Back Lapped), and the bed knife what you want to hear. Unfortunately, the 'is adjusted for contact with the reel. The whole story is seldom told for fear of Lapping Compound, along with contact rejection of the spin grind concept. between the reel and bed knife, removes a certain amount of steel on both cutting Everyone understandably looks for ways surfaces to expose a sharp cutting edge around undesirable tasks. Reel grinding has once again. With a relief grind on the reel been in the undesirable category since day blade, the process of lapping a reel unit is one, and finding a better way of easily achieved. Without relief, the lapping sharpening has been a constant process takes much longer since more consideration. surface to lap translates into more time to lap. Flat or spin ground reels have a tendency to be more accurate if they are set up The statement came up, "With a flat grind properly. With the design of most reel your cutting edge holds up better and mowers in the U.S. today, it is imperative doesn't need lapping." Now we know better that the reel be brought back to as perfect than that. Anything that cuts anything gets a cylinder shape as possible. Short cuts in dull. If you're expected to spin grind when this area (i.e., Touch Method from end to you're supposed to lap, where is the end) take away any benefits offered by the savings. Spin Grind Method. NOTE: Touch Method may be used on units which adjust reel to POINT #3 - Minimal contact between bed bed knife since cutting is always done at knife and reel is desirable. "Zero clearance" the same point due to stationary bed knife. when the bed knife and reel are sharp is the ultimate goal. Relief Angle: A question that comes up frequently in grinding conversations is, Naturally it is impossible unless grinding or "Why is relief necessary?", or "Why is no lapping has just been done. After the two relief required?" cutting surfaces start to dull, slight contact between the bed knife and reel is required No matter what your beliefs - spin grinding to cut. A new cutting unit has no more offers only a "flat" grind with no relief, it than a narrow "land" on the reel blade to simply cannot be any other way. The make contact with the bed knife. A half manufacturers of most reel cutting units worn reel (flat on half the thickness of the design relief into their mowers for the reel blade) has half the blade in contact following reasons. with the bed knife which also has a flat on it. 1) Ease of manufacture and assembly. 2) Ease of sharpening between grindings If all the relief is worn off, the full contact (lapping or back lapping). 3) Minimal of the reel blade is in contact with the flat contact between reel blade and bed knife. of the bed knife which is exactly what you start out with on a spin ground reel. DISCUSSION: POINT #1 - During assembly of’reels, a perfect cylinder reel is Minimal contact between the mating parts is desired for proper reel to knife desirable because of reduced heat build up, contact. To achieve this, Spin '¡ng is lower power requirements to drive reels and Page 6 to help maintain a sharp cutting edge in CORRECT INCORRECT addition to minimizing the wear of gears, RELIEF GRIND RELIEF GRIND bearings and seals. Excessive wear may not show up at first, but in the long run noticeably higher repair costs will be evident when a flat grind is used. How much relief is enough? Too much? Since there is no way of measuring precisely the amount of relief on a reel blade, it is enough to say that any relief is better than none. Conversely, too much relief will have adverse results including: a) Weak cutting edge and blade, b) Fast reel wear, c) Frequent bed knife to reel BED KNIFE GRINDING adjustment. How the bed knife is ground does make a Too much relief is usually a result of difference in overall performance of your placing a double relief on the reel blade. cutting unit. When grinding (sharpening) a worn bed knife, always make sure that the Examples of reel cross sections - correct relief angle is taken from the existing worn and incorrect applications. surface, 5° is usually adequate. INCORRECT INCORRECT Grinding a new bed knife is very simple. After mounting the knife to the bed bar, a DOUBLE RELIEF FLAT few passes are necessary to make sure the GRIND GROUND cutting edge is true before installation into the cutting unit. Follow the existing angles since relief has already been ground in at the manufacturer. Changing the relief angle 4 is unnecessary and results in shortening the bed knife's useful life. In a nutshell, spin grinding does have its place when used with RELIEF. It has been proven as an excellent way of truing a reel (when proper set up is used). Relief is important for prolonging cutting unit life right down to the bearings and seals. Relief is and always has been a necessary part of PROPER mower maintenance. Shortcuts taken in this area will mean higher costs in the future. Don't settle for half the job. Insist on relief. « Page 7 Robert McElheny, Board member has moved to Mitchell Creek Golf Club as golf course superintendent. Rick Ransburg has moved from Crystal Downs Country Club assistant superintendent to the same position at La Jolla Country Club, La Jolla, California. Mark Skope has replaced Rick at Crystal Downs as assistant superintendent. Ray St.Amour has moved from Roger City C.C. to Antrim Dells as golf course superintendent. < Bob Grimm has moved from Twin Birch G.C. to Wilderness Valley as golf course superintendent. We would like to publish all moves in our northern Michigan area if you will please inform our editor, Tuck Tate. ’ New members coming aboard since our last meeting are Ty Conklin, John McGregor, Kevin Morrison and Pete DeRuiter. We want you all to give them a big welcome. Mike Libby is also new Super at Roger City Country Club. -It--M- -W- -M- -it- •«■#*•»(■ -M- * First Robert W. Osterman, CGCS, Chairman of the nominating Committee, is requesting nomina­ tions for the offices of President, Vice-President and Director. All GCSAA Affiliated Chapters Call and members of the Association are urged to submit nominations for these very important For positions. Explanations of qualifications, terms of office and responsibilities of the GCSAA Nominations Executive Committee have been sent to all chapter secretaries. Additional copies are available from GCSAA Headquarters upon request. All nominations must be received by September 1, 1985, and must be sent to Committee Chair­ man Osterman at the following address: Robert W. Osterman, CGCS GCSAA Headquarters 1617 St. Andrews Drive Lawrence, KS 66046 Members of the Nominating Committee are: Leonard Berg, CGCS Robert Randquist James Ross Dean Watkins Village Green Woodridge Southern Hills G&CC 215 Mary Alice Drive 1002 Mt. Vernon Road 3 1575 West 75th Street P.O. Box 702298 Los Gatos, CA 95030 Hurricane, WV 25526 Woodridge, IL 60517 Tulsa, OK 74170 Every member of our Association should be wearing shirts with our new and beautiful emblem embroidered on it. These shirts are now selling for only $15.00 which is less than the cost to our Association and below wholesale. They come in four different colors and Tom Reed carries them in his truck as well as bringing them to our meetings. Being a member of a professional Association is a must today in this professional world and we should display our emblem whenever possible. Join the ranks and help our professional image, NOW. Details on the benefit day for the Michigan Turfgrass Foundation at Crystal Downs Country Club will be in our next news letter as this letter must go to the printer before the benefit takes place. Everyone that is a participant or donor will be contributing to the organization that funds almost exclusively, all turfgrass research in Michigan. If you are in the green industry, you should be a member of The Michigan Turfgrass Foundation, any^-e^ntrlbution to them is fully tax deductible. #*■ it#*###########«#######»#*####################################* The best angle to approach a problem is prob- r»r-Ar»r> ably the try angle. 8EARD